Argentine lawmakers question use of road maintenance funds

Argentine legislators are raising concerns regarding the management of funds intended for the maintenance and construction of the national road network. National Senators Adán Bahl and Marcelo Lewandowski, along with Deputies Victoria Tolosa Paz and Guillermo Michel, have questioned the destination of resources collected through the fuel tax, which is legally earmarked for road infrastructure under Law 23.966 and the Integrated Road System (SISVIAL).

Reports indicate that while over $1.5 trillion pesos have been collected through the SISVIAL system in recent years, it is estimated that less than 30% of these funds have been executed for road works. Legislators have noted that while the fuel tax has increased significantly, the national road network continues to deteriorate.

Victoria Tolosa Paz has filed a presentation with Federal Justice to investigate the handling of these resources, alleging that funds with specific destinations were withheld. Meanwhile, Senator Lewandowski has criticized the use of these funds to balance public accounts or support state operations rather than addressing the deteriorating condition of productive corridors and national routes.